71% want to work on Sundays

A POLL on Sunday working has found that 71% of French would be willing to do it, as long as it was better-paid and replaced with a day off during the week.

The poll, by Ifop for Metronews, was taken after two DIY stores, Leroy-Merlin and Castorama, defied bans on opening on Sunday.

It showed that attitudes towards Sunday opening were shifting. In 2008 a similar poll found just 52% supported opening on Sunday, while the level today is 69%. The number of people wanting to see the law relaxed has also risen 15 points over the same period, up to 72%.

The government has said it will examine the issue.

"This is a turning point. In five years, this opinion has really grown. In 2008 it was still the start of the financial crisis, but today, financial exasperation, unemployment, and spending power have brought the French to be largely in favour of working on Sunday,” said the assistant director general of Ifop, Frédéric Dabi.

The will to work on Sunday was particularly strong among young people. Of those who termed themselves left-wing 60% supported it, while support rose to 82% among those on the right. The only exception was Front de gauche supporters where only 45% wanted to work on Sunday.

In general, those living in towns were more keen on the idea than those in the countryside (82% support against 66%).

Recently Monoprix announced it would close all its stores at 9pm after a row with unions over contract negotiations for late-night work.

The fashion chain Sephora has also been forced to close its flagship Champs Elysées store at 9pm after a court case.

Related article:
Stores defy Sunday ban
Sephora forced to shut at 21.00

Photo: Apops - fotolia.com